In recent weeks, however, undercover investigators have been prowling Jersey Shore towns, including Wildwood -- a popular destination for Staten Island families and young people -- checking to ensure that the biggest peril to visitors is too much time in the sun.

All along the Wildwood boardwalk yesterday, several state officers checked the games of chance, making sure they gave beachgoers an even shake.

Much of the enforcement effort, though, was focused on merchandise found in the back of many boardwalk gift shops. Walking past racks of T-shirts shouting semi-humorous insults and walls covered with banners of rock music stars, investigators found shiny packets alluringly named Erotik, Barely Legal and Jersey Shore.

Many claim to be high-quality incense and carry disclaimers against ingestion by humans, but investigators say the warnings are lies.

"It's a misnomer. It fits the pattern of known designer drugs and of substances that are addictive and dangerous," said Neal Buccino, a spokesman for the state Division of Consumer Affairs.

Federal, state and city investigators made surprise visits to 18 shops yesterday, informing owners they were selling suspected banned bath salts and similar chemical mixtures now illegal in New Jersey.

All were persuaded voluntarily to surrender the packets of synthetic drugs, which can be smoked or snorted to cause an intense high -- but can also cause psychotic episodes and extremely high heart rates.

In addition, investigators took in pacers and tiny jars of suspected "K2," a synthetic marijuana that federal authorities banned in March.

Nothing was confiscated and no charges or summons were filed. But citing statutes that outlaw imitation controlled dangerous substances and toxic chemicals, authorities collected 1,400 packets of K2 and related products, worth an estimated $35,000.

At The Rock, a store bearing signs that advertised tattoos, body piercing and cannabis-free cigarettes, the owner -- who declined to give his name -- appeared willing to cooperate.

"Tell me what am I suppose to check for," he said.

The solidly built, well-tanned man, wearing a sleeveless T-shirt, said the items in question are sold at stores all along the East Coast.

"This had been sold in the open for 15 years. It's all over the boardwalk," said the owner in an interview after investigators left. He said makers of the packets were long-established companies that offered assurances the products were legal.

Not all shop owners, though, were as eager to comply.

At a place called Genesis, the owner first claimed he threw out the suspected illegal drugs he had in his store, then admitted another employee had taken them away.

The employee was called and brought the packets back to investigators.

"Lying to us is the same as giving us a hard time," Wildwood boardwalk inspector Chris Fox sternly told the owner.

Wildwood Police Capt. Robert Regalbuto said he welcomed the state assistance in tackling the designer drugs.

"It's another thing we have to deal with, but sometimes it seems like all you can do is triage. You put a Band-Aid on it and move on," Regalbuto said.

Buccino, noting that similar inspections of boardwalk stores and games have been done in other Jersey Shore towns this summer, said investigators will be back to the same stores next month.